The UN’s open science framework could supercharge progress

All Australian research should be open to access, both domestically and internationally, and research conducted overseas should be freely available to read in Australia.

Open all hours

Inspired by a European open-access initiative, Chief Scientist Cathy Foley wants to make all publicly funded Australian research publications free for the public to read.

Harnessing research for better health

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences is conducting a project to improve healthcare for Australians by better enabling research to be conducted within the health system.

Australian COVID-19 research review reveals gaps in collaboration

Researchers are calling for improved national coordination of Australian COVID-19 trials, after analysis of efforts in 2020 found a lack of data sharing and collaboration left crucial research gaps.

Commercialising research

Over the last 50 years, innumerable reports have called for better processes to commercialise Australian academic research, but progress will only be made if we tackle the obstacles and incentives confronting researchers.

Funding NEMO

Astrophysicist Paul Lasky makes the case for creating a gravitational wave detection observatory in Australia.

Are preprint medical studies eroding public trust in science?

Three leading medical communications organisations warn the public could lose trust in science if researchers rush to release research data, particularly during crises such as COVID-19.

Stampedes, sharks and cyclones

Swimming away from sharks, defending a tent during mini-cyclone and being threatened with a pet dingo are all in a day’s work for coastal researcher Professor Rob Brander.

A pandemic of sub-standard research

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a flood of potentially substandard research amid the rush to publish, with a string of papers retracted or under a cloud and a surge in submissions to  pre-print servers where fewer quality checks are made.

Research collaboration key to economic recovery

The new focus on science and research and development in the Morrison Government’s manufacturing strategy has been welcomed by Australia’s leading science body.

Industry funded research vs the truth

Medical and scientific research is increasingly funded by commercial companies looking to promote their own agenda, and other scientists, policy makers and the public should remain wary of findings paid for by vested interests.

Help investigate the causes of stuttering

Researchers need 3,000 Australian stutterers for an international study that is searching for the genes in human DNA which may trigger the speech problem.